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2023-07-17T06:03:01Z

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{{Short description|Museum in Pune, India}}

{{Use Indian English}}{{Use dmy dates}}

{{Infobox museum
| name = R. K. Laxman Musuem
| image = Building of R. K. Laxman Museum, Pune.jpg
| caption = Exterior of the museum building
| map_type =
| established = {{Start date|2022|03|06|df=y}}
| location = [[Balewadi]], [[Pune]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]
| coordinates = {{Coord|18.573367|N|73.770666|E|display=inline, title}}
| type = [[Single-artist museum]]
| owner = [[Pune Municipal Corporation]]
| website = {{URL|https://www.rklaxmanmuseum.com/}}
}}

The '''R. K. Laxman Museum''' is a [[single-artist museum]] located in [[Balewadi]] area of [[Pune]], [[Maharashtra]]. It is dedicated to the life and works of [[R. K. Laxman]], one of India's most popular cartoonist and illustrator. The [[Government of Maharashtra]] and the [[Pune Municipal Corporation]] collaborated to create this museum which was inaugurated on 6 March 2022 by Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=PM Modi inaugurates art gallery dedicated to cartoonist R K Laxman; kin say dream come true |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pm-modi-inaugurates-art-gallery-dedicated-to-cartoonist-r-k-laxman-1921458-2022-03-06 |access-date=2023-06-14 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pune Celebrates Museum Day with Enthusiasm at R K Laxman Museum in Baner - PUNE PULSE |url=https://www.mypunepulse.com/pune-celebrates-museum-day-with-enthusiasm-at-r-k-laxman-museum-in-baner/ |access-date=2023-06-14 |website=PUNE PULSE - Trusted-Connected-Targeted |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Website of R K Laxman museum in Pune launched |url=https://pib.gov.in/pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1830963 |access-date=2023-06-14 |website=pib.gov.in}}</ref>
== Background ==
In career spanning more than 70 years, Laxman created over 35,000 cartoons and illustrations. After he died on 26 January 2015, his daughter Usha undertook the task of compiling the works for the purpose of creating the museum. The idea came to fruition when the state government and the local municipal body joined in. The architecture of the museum was executed by design consultancy firm ''Unitecture''. The work had begun in 2015 and handed over to Laxman family in 2018 to design the art galleries. However, it was delayed by over 8 months due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. Eventually, the museum was inaugurated in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Joshi |first=Poorva |last2= |first2= |title=PM Modi inaugurates art gallery dedicated to cartoonist R K Laxman; kin say dream comes true |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/pm-modi-inaugurates-art-gallery-dedicated-to-cartoonist-r-k-laxman-kin-say-dream-comes-true-2022-03-06-762980 |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=www.indiatvnews.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Art Gallery {{!}} R K Laxman Museum {{!}} Pune |url=https://www.rklaxmanmuseum.com/ |access-date=2023-06-14 |website=R.K.Laxman Museum |language=en}}</ref>

== Galleries and exhibits ==
The layout of the museum comprises of several galleries, a cafeteria, two audio-visual rooms, and exhibition halls. A huge life-size portrait of Laxman's [[The Common Man|''The Common Man'']], his most famous creation, greets the visitors and the tourists. The entire life story of Laxman is narrated by the Common Man, who takes the visitors through a mixed-media journey, telling them the story of the man who created him. In the welcome note to the museum, the Common Man, says: “A grand welcome to the R. K. Laxman Museum. I am your host and I will give you a visual experience of this museum and tell you the story of the man you created me.”<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=RK Laxman Museum in Pune — a legacy for the next generation |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/rk-laxman-museum-in-pune-a-legacy-for-the-next-generation/cid/1906377 |access-date=2023-06-14 |website=www.telegraphindia.com}}</ref>

The gallery showing Laxman's life has a portion that depicts his childhood spent with his elder brother, [[R. K. Narayan]], the creator of [[Malgudi Days (short story collection)|Malgudi Days]], and a prominent figure of [[Indian English literature|modern Indian English writing]]. Laxman had in fact begun his career by illustrating Narayan's books.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Photos |url=https://www.rklaxmanmuseum.com/gallery |access-date=2023-06-14 |website=R.K.Laxman Museum |language=en}}</ref>

In the caricature section of the photo gallery, Laxman's caricature sketches of famous personalities are showcased. A particular section also shows Laxman's depictions of the elephant-headed god, [[Ganesha]] in various forms, while another space of the gallery is dedicated to his cartoons on children. The outdoor galleries show his cartoons about the Mumbai administration, and some of ''The Common Man'' sketches. Textual panels on the walls, and audio-visual frames guide the visitors through the museum.<ref name=":1" />

Two different shows, one a documentary on Laxman's life, and another a light-and-sound show on Malgudi days, take place in the two dedicated audio-visual rooms within the museum. The light-and-sound brings to life the town of Malgudi, that Narayan had fictitiously created.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |title=At Balewadi, a museum dedicated to R K Laxman |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/at-balewadi-a-museum-dedicated-to-r-k-laxman/articleshow/90039685.cms |access-date=2023-06-14 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

A dedicated gallery space deals with the crow, Laxman's favourite bird. The gallery houses the various sketches of the bird made by the cartoonist, as well as models of the birds busy in different activities. Laxman was fond of them as he found them energetic, naughty and intelligent. He could even distinguish one from the other, and had different names for them.<ref name=":1" />

His last cartoon made on 20th December 2014 for the occasion of India's Mars Orbiter Mission, [[Mars Orbiter Mission|Mangalayan's]] completion of hundred days on the Martian orbit is housed in the audio-visual gallery. It shows the Common Man travelling towards the red planet with a national flag in his hand. His son Arun, employed at [[ISRO]], is referred to in the note along with the cartoon.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kin elated after inauguration of RK Laxman art gallery in Pune |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/pune-news/kin-elated-after-inauguration-of-rk-laxman-art-gallery-in-pune-101646653282790.html |access-date=2023-06-14 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=PM Modi to unveil RK Laxman museum, launch Pune Metro on Sunday |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/pm-modi-to-unveil-rk-laxman-museum-launch-pune-metro-on-sunday-122030500551_1.html |access-date=2023-06-14 |website=www.business-standard.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=rodrigues |first=james |title=Punekar Gather at R K Laxman Museum in Baner for Museum Day Celebrations |url=https://punepost.in/punekar-gather-at-r-k-laxman-museum-in-baner-for-museum-day-celebrations/ |access-date=2023-06-14 |website=Pune Post |language=en-US}}</ref>

Today, Laxman's grand daughter Rimanika carries her grandfather's legacy forward. She has created the ''Common Woman'', presenting a gendered version of the societal caricature that Laxman's immortal cartoon featured.<ref>{{Cite web |title=From Common Man To Common Woman, RK Laxman's Granddaughter Takes His Work Forward |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/from-common-man-to-common-woman-rk-laxmans-granddaughter-take-his-cartoons-forward-1690105 |access-date=2023-06-14 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==

* {{Official website|https://www.rklaxmanmuseum.com/}}

[[Category:Museums in Pune]]
[[Category:Museums established in 2022]]
[[Category:2022 establishments in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Museums devoted to one artist]]

R. K. Laxman Museum - Revision history

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